After a summer alive with rain and little time for outdoors leisure activities, on such a rare sunny Saturday, four amazing bands include Jackdaws, Hummingbirds, Ratty Little Fingers and Pete Bentham &The Dinnerladies, gave us a special summer treat from four totally different styles, with as much opportunity to become an attractive combination. With a grand reputation around the Preston and surrounding areas it was difficult not to expect the great music coupled with a warm atmosphere at the Mad Ferret on the Saturday nights.

Making it to the Mad Ferret for their first gig, Preston’s band Jackdaws have a folk rock beat, well with a fine variety of musical elements, did well to set the mood for the gig tonight. Their folk inspired set was immediately what the crowd wanted, folk guitar and hearty vocal from lead singer Ste are perfectly along with their bassist Mike and drummer Tom, weaving through the touching melodies as they built different but great scenes according to their inspiring set in front of the crowds.

Playing a nine song set, the band began with the solo Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division cover) – a track by leading vocal Ste which had gained certain attention at the Ferret previously with a very lovely music box accompaniment. Well, forget you’re a member of the new or old crowds, you simply couldn’t resist the clear and delicate tinkling sound came from Ste’s music box, and his heartfelt vocals.

If the music box version cover was an “appetizer”, a feast for the crowds’ ears just got started.

Following on from Love Will Tear Us Apart, the band together played the narrative The Great Northern which received a very good reaction from the listeners, they were cheering and shouting “Jackdaws!”. Following up were the crowds’ two favourites – Undertaker’s Daughter and, Sea Enemies which was the first time they’ve played as a full band, a positive hint of influences showed the vigor they brought to the increasing number of listeners was absolutely amazing. Then you have Cigarettes with stark lyrics and tunes seemed to tell you a heartfelt story which turned the crowds into the deep thoughts.

The Great Northern + Undertaker’s Daughter

Good Things Happen To Good People and Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game further increased the pace and volume at the Ferret, it’s a pleasure to watch a band when you feel there’re some real reasons for being there and some input into each track. Next, you simply cannot help smiling when Ste introduced the song Eulogy for Carrie Magee, as the room is full of a great friendly and sunny feel that was too good take the crowds to another consistently fun atmosphere created by the Jackdaws. It was probably concluded by seeing the crowd as one big happy family.

Good Things Happen To Good People + Eulogy for Carrie Magee

Obviously, Eulogy for Carrie Magee led to shouts of an encore, the set closed with Butterflies, Jackdaws performed the song with enjoyable and upbeat melodies, and the perfect ending to what was a quite impressive set.

Butterflies

Tonight, most songs on the band setlist are original “Jackdaws material”, which was very commendable, and this also shows that Jackdaws is a new but very promising band with potential to be Preston’s next “big folk rock act” which is worth of watching again. It was a good performance from the Jackdaws and we look forward to seeing their next gig.

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Jackdaws – Open Mic Night

Venue: Mad Ferret Date: 19 Jan 2011

The Mad Ferret is one of the most popular live music venue’s in Preston. With a 180+ capacity, stage, lighting rig and sound system it is the perfect place for intimate gigs. The open mic, which is held every Wednesday, is ideal to sample some of the talent that the city has to offer.

The open mic on Wednesday 19th January was no exception. Notable highlights of the evening included ukulele comedy from Kris Ball, guitar singalongs from KrisYeates and looping pedal acoustics from Sheffield’s Graeme Baranyai.

Perhaps the biggest crowd drawer of the evening was for upcoming Preston band Jackdaws, who played under the name for the first time. Before the performance, Unsigned Acts / Preston talked with band members Ste (singer and guitarist), Tom (drummer) and Mike (bassist). They mentioned that they had regularly been playing the open mic to debut new songs and build up a following. They told me that the last time they played in December was last minute and due to missing drum kit parts they had to improvise songs. While they still enjoyed it, they were looking forward to performing their songs properly this time.

Put on the lighting, harmonica, guitar, drum and bass, here we go. The first song was‘Undertakers Daughter‘, which was one of the crowds favourites. The stark lyrics tell the story of a girl unable to be taken seriously by anyone, receiving “know it all” advice from her father, religion and partner. Next up was ‘Butterflies‘, which incited whoops of joy. The song was very upbeat and enjoyable. The band debuted new song ‘Good Things Happen to Good People’ next, leading to shouts of an encore. The open mic bands usually play three songs, but due to the crowds response they were shouted at to “keep playing” by the open mic’s promoter.

The band decided to play a couple of covers – a harmonica fuelled version of Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’ and a dub-country version of the Eurhythmic’s ‘Sweet Dreams’.

“Bravo…” The short set seemed to win the band many new fans, several of whom came over to congratulate them. Jackdaws’ performance was genuinely a pleasure to watch, and for an open mic slot these three guys gave it their best! Unsigned Acts / Preston looks forward to seeing their first full gig.